Obama on Defense against Claims He Is Muslim

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama has gone on the offensive to deny charges that he is a Muslim posing as a Christian. Responding to a vicious e-mail campaign against him, he told Jewish media in a conference call, "It is very important for everybody to know that it is fake."

Sen. Obama, who attended grade school in Indonesia, added he never practiced the Muslim religion. "I was raised by my secular mother. I have been a member of the Christian religion and an active member of a church," he said. "I was sworn in with my hand on my family Bible and have said the Pledge of Allegiance since I was 3 years old."

Seven Jewish senators last week wrote an open letter condemning the anti-Obama campaign.